Mexican art on display

There's a wonderful store here in Oro Valley called the Western National Parks Assn. store that has an exhibit and sale of colorful Mexican indigenous art through Wednesday, April 13. It features Zapotec weavings, Oaxacan carvings, and Mata Ortiz pottery.

The colors of the Zapotec weavings are luscious. I wish I could have afforded a few, although it would've been hard to choose. The weaving has been part of the Zapotec culture since at least 500 BC.

 

Next up are the Oaxacan carvings of fanciful animals called "alebrijes." They are carved by hand from copal wood then painted with natural pigments. The details are incredible! One legend has it that alebrijes were created by a Pedro Linares after he became ill. Delirious in Mexico City at age 30, he dreamt of a strange place resembling a forest in which strange, composite animals were all shouting, "Alebrijes!" When he awoke, he crafted the first alebrijes from papier-mache and a new genre of art was born.

Finally, the earthier colors of Mata Ortiz pottery contain beautiful, detailed designs. 

If you get a chance and are in the Tucson area, head on over to the store by Wednesday. It also carries native Indian jewelry, books on the Southwest, and the usual array of tourist gift shop items like t-shirts, mugs, maps and puzzles.

Address: 12880 N. Vistosa Village Drive, Tucson (but actually in Oro Valley)

Phone: 520-622-1999

Have a colorful day